SMART goals are often taught as a strategy to help students achieve academic goals, but the same structure lends itself to strategies for administrators to set their schools up for success. The SMART framework was introduced in the professional journal, Management Review, in 1981. Author George T. Doran created the acronym SMART which stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable (Achievable), Realistic (Relevant), and Time-bound. The formula takes goal-setters beyond simply stating an objective: it requires them to refine and create a realistic plan of action. This blueprint can lead to higher success rates. Over the years, other management professionals added the letters “ER” to make the formula “SMARTER.” The additional letters stand for Evaluate and Revise.
SMART(ER) goals are often used by schools required to participate in standardized testing. Academic achievement rankings and percentiles become baseline points for teachers and administrators to define broad, grade-level-based goals for the new school year. Using standardized test scores from previous years, administrators and teachers outline areas of focus in the curriculum. Examples for how to incorporate this data-driven use of SMART(ER) goals can be found on many state education websites (see New Jersey’s example here). However, the SMART(ER) goal formula does not have to be relegated to standardized test objectives. It can be incorporated in other ways to help administrators reach school wide goals.
Another place to apply SMART(ER) goals is in your Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism (ABAR) initiatives. ABAR education is critical to cultivating equitable spaces where every person feels heard, seen, and respected. SMART(ER) goals can be created through the lens of ABAR to confirm that your actions are aligned with equity. Check out this “ABAR SMART(ER) Goals” worksheet.
The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.